Ruby Anniversary® Abelia - Abelia chinensis

In autumn, butterflies and hummingbirds need to consume a lot of calories in preparation for egg-laying, migration, or dormancy, so it's important that your butterfly garden include fall-blooming food sources. Ruby Anniversary abelia fits that role perfectly. In late summer, it bursts forth with hundreds of white, bell-shaped flowers, each emitting a sweet, jasmine-like perfume, that bring in hungry hummers and butterflies by the score. It really is a sight to behold as they swoop and dodge each other to get to the nectar, and the show lasts for 4+ weeks while the plant continues to bloom. Even after the flowers fall, the plant continues to look great, as each leaves behind a flower-shaped ruby bract that persists through the rest of the autumn. Ruby Anniversary abelia is also special because it's hardier than other summer/fall blooming abelias, allowing gardeners even in zone 5 to finally enjoy the amazing display. This unique flowering shrub from Proven Winners definitely deserves to